Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, depressive disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, are found to be severe enough to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence of a hospitalization for service-connected anxiety and major depressive disorder, requiring further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, to include as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of traumatic deviated septum with anosmia and hypogeusia. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, dementia pugilistica, and acquired psychiatric disorders are granted. Service connection is denied for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including obtaining records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and headache condition are not service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tinea, verruca vulgaris with angiokeratoma, respiratory condition, and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, residual type is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with features of PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent prior to July 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder NOS, is related to his service or if his alcoholism is due to an acquired mental disorder. The examiner will also assess whether the current level of severity of the Veteran's existing 10% rating for major depressive disorder should be considered.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as a request for VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to benefits for his claimed conditions. The right shoulder arthritis claim has been remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was withdrawn, and his new and material evidence claim for sleep apnea was denied. His service connection claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder were also denied.,His claim for sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found no link between his current psychiatric disorders and his service.,The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder, including nightmares with an alcohol use disorder, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing a possible secondary relationship with his service-connected right knee, hip, and thigh conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and left knee degenerative joint disease are granted, while the claim for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, and the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability is moot as the Veteran now receives a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder have been rated at a 70 percent since January 2, 2018. This decision grants the requested increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including her reported assault in 1967 and her duties as a clinical specialist during service.

The Veteran's vertigo and Meniere’s disease are granted as secondary to service-connected hearing loss.,PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted at a 70% rating from May 19, 2016 to October 3, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.